'My Fair Lady' Scribe Thompson Says Hepburn is 'Not For Me;' Discusses New Film

By: Aug. 10, 2010
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Emma Thompson, who is writing the screenplay for a new film version of MY FAIR LADY, told The Telegraph of Audrey Hepburn, star of the original film, "I find Audrey Hepburn fantastically twee. Twee is whimsy without wit. It's mimsy-mumsy sweetness without any kind of bite. And that's not for me. She can't sing and she can't really act, I'm afraid. I'm sure she was a delightful woman - and perhaps if I had known her I would have enjoyed her acting more, but I don't and I didn't, so that's all there is to it, really."

Thompson also discussed her plans for the upcoming film.  According to the Telegraph, Thompson will "give the story a feminist makeover."  She said, "I suppose my cheekiness is in saying: 'This is a very serious story about the usage of women at a particular time in our history. And it's still going on today. Yes, OK, it's a wonderful musical, but let's also look at what it's really saying about the world."

Carey Mulligan is in talks to play Eliza Dolittle, the Telegraph reports.  Hugh Grant and Rupert Everett have been considered for the role of Henry Higgins.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.



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